. >>> let's get to some politics, a few hours, first lady michelle obama will attend a funeral in chicago. hidea pendleton, 9/5-year-old honor student shot and kill just about a mile from the obama's family home. she participated in inaugural events just a week earlier. the president is warning the economy will get hit hard if automatic spending cuts scheduled for next month aren't delayed. >> the result could be a huge blow to middle class families and our economy as a whole. if the sequester is allowed to go forward, thousands of americans who work in national security, education, or clean energy are likely to be laid off. small businesses could be prevented from getting the resources and support they need to keep their doors open. all of our economic progress could be put at risk. >> republican senator mitch mcconnell says he knows that the cuts will have consequences, but has faulted the president for failing to put guardian acceptable plan to replace them. joining me now, congressional reporter for "the washington post," ed o'keefe and correspondent for the hill, amie parnes. is it b